The Emmy’s are coming up on September 14! As usual, I’m super excited. And as usual, I’m unprepared. No one is forcing me to watch all the shows nominated, but it’s been my thing for so long, it’s hard to lower that bar. Or, in this case, not. Below is a list of nominated shows that I’ve watched – and some random others.

The Pitt – Apple TV. Ah-mazing. The show lives up to all the hype, and everyone in the world should be required to watch it. Especially those in power who make decisions about health care and humanity. Yes, this is a fictional show, but the story portrays heroes, and that part is definitely not fiction. The show is 15 gripping, extremely well-written and acted episodes – each episode representing one hour of the herculean 15-hour shift taking place at a hospital in Pittsburgh. Remember to breathe. Season 2 is coming in January 2026.

Severance – Apple TV. Tried it. For about three episodes. It was just too weird and made me anxious. Just a knit brow and wringing hands – too anxious for popcorn. I pulled the plug.

Hacks – HBO. I’ve reviewed this show before in glowing terms. The first three seasons were amazing. I’m sorry to say that the latest, fourth, did not hold up for me. I hate to tear down a great show, and while there were great parts to season 4 – there were too many misses. I was super uncomfortable with the Hannah Einbinder storyline of being in a thruple along with the nudity. And the long-suffering agents for Jean Smart’s character – that storyline dragged for me, too. It wasn’t fresh and felt convoluted and forced. There has always been a heartwarming element to the show between the two main characters that gripped me, and it keeps me watching, hoping for some kind of resolution. But the show keeps the relationship unstable. You can’t trust it, and I’m getting weary of it. Nor can you trust Jean Smart’s character. Like Charlie Brown being tricked by Lucy. I want more of Jean Smart’s daughter in the show too. She devours every scene she is in.  Kaitlin Olson. I don’t know if I’ll watch season 5. Bummed.

Slow Horses – HBO. Thank god for closed caption. The accents are thick, the often-slangy dialogue fast – and there is a ton of it. It’s a slick show with smart pacing, believable plot lines, and superb acting. Gary Oldman is one of the main stars – and they do an excellent job of making him a grossly shameless slob with a brain (and heart?) bigger than his cohorts in the MI5 playpen. I should give it five stars, but I wished for more character development. Maybe I just miss the show Killing Eve. The title, Slow Horses, is in reference to the bunch of so-called misfits in MI5 who have been relegated as wanting or slow. Or are they the real heroes? Fun show. I thought season one was better and less confusing than season two.

Nobody Wants This – Netflix. Kristen Bell and Adam Brody – the chemistry between them felt real. I enjoyed this lighthearted show. It’s definitely worth a watch. I didn’t give it the final star because I didn’t l-o-v-e it.  

Bad Sisters – Apple TV. I totally love this show! You have to watch it! Both seasons. Set in Dublin, Ireland, the accents are adorable, but not so thick that you can’t understand it. Beautiful acting, set design, and plot lines. As you can imagine, the relationships between the five Garvey sisters (Eva, Grace, Ursula, Bibi, and Becka) are complicated, but each one is carefully developed. They better bring this show back for a third season!!

The White Lotus – HBO. Dur. Just another wonderfully acted, twisty, and character-driven masterpiece.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story – Netflix. I don’t want to give this show a star rating because it probably deserves a lot, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. That doesn’t mean it won’t be for others. I tried watching it (and I’m a Dateline junkie), but since I (everyone) knew/knows the story, I just found it depressing. I didn’t want to be drawn into the horror again.

Love is Blind – Netflix. This last one was set in my hometown of Minneapolis! So, that was exciting. People I know, knew of people who auditioned. And I recognized many of the landmarks. Why am I not giving this five stars? I hotly anticipated this season and gobbled it up as soon as it aired. Am I feeling shame? Boredom? Feeling used by the obvious audience exploitation through production trickery? Gold goblet fatigue? Not sure which, but I’ll tune in for the next one!

Love is Blind – UK(season 2) – Netflix. (Not nominated for an Emmy – just thought it made sense here) If I’m so tired of the franchise, why did I watch the UK version? Good question! Probably because I’m not tired of the franchise at all, but appreciate the formulaic, stress-free viewing, while picking apart the people, searching for their tells, flaws, and the oh-so-satisfying gotcha moments. “I knew it!” And because it’s in the UK – I feel the culture is sort of relatable. Unlike the Love is Blind franchise from say, Argentina. I wouldn’t know the social nuances, and I really need to judge these people! It kind of cracked me up that the gold goblets are in the UK show too. I gave this UK version more stars than the latest US one because of the likability and what came off as genuine emotions of (some of) the cast. (Ashleigh rocks!) And I know these people are real, so forgive me for this – but damn, why in the world does the London bloke – Kal – have a haircut like a character from Dumb and Dumber. I can’t see past it. He’s damn lucky that his fiancé Sarover is so incredibly beautiful. It’s a 4/10 situation for me. Bowl-haircut Kal doesn’t seem to get that.  

America’s Sweethearts – Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.– Netflix.Hats off to these women. They work incredibly hard and have been thoroughly taken advantage of by the Cowboys organization for years. It made me glad they made some headway in their financial compensation department, but it was embarrassingly late and I’m certain not enough.

OTHER RANDOM STUFF – Not Emmy Nominated……..

The Ultimate Gift - An enticing TikTok of this dropped in my lap and I was sucked in by the premise that old grandpa (James Gardner) dies and leaves a series of tasks/adventures for his grandson (cutie-pie Drew Fuller from Charmed) to complete in order to 1) learn the meaning of life and not turn into a dick like the rest of his children 2) receive an inheritance (maybe). Ten-year-old Abigail Breslin out-acted everyone in this cast by leaps and bounds. The movie was supposed to be profound, but came off as the worst kind of B-movie where huge chunks of plot were missing. Someone decided they could skip over it, believing we’d just nod our heads and go along. WTF.

Jules - This movie moved me. I wish I hadn’t watched it alone. I’d love to talk to someone about it. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but an elderly man gets to know an alien that crash-lands in his backyard. The acting was marvelous – Ben Kingsley, Jane Curtin (from SNL), Harriet Sansom Harris (Fraiser’s agent – Bebe) are the major players. There are layers of metaphors and thought-provoking scenes about aging and life and the unknown. It’s the kind of movie that will stick with you. Which I love.

The Hunting Wives Trash TV at its best. Binge-worthy. Blush Inducing. Back-stabbing, twist-turning action with great acting, great production, and lots of sex. Have your wine, popcorn, Milk Duds, and a cozy blanket at the ready. Welcome to Texas.

Cranford Period piece drama is my jam. It relaxes me. Granted, the genre is not for everyone, but if you love small and clever witticisms, prepare to be bowled over as the women in the small English town of Cranford navigate their way through life. If the fabulous Derry Girls were born in 1840s England, they might look something like this. A line from the show – “It’s go, go, go in Cranford” is a saying my husband and I use around the house when our life gets busy. I absolutely love this show.

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